February 13, 2015

Feb. 16 PA Environment Digest Now Available

Gov. Tom Wolf Wednesday proposed an education reinvestment plan featuring a severance tax on natural gas extraction as part of his solution to properly fund public education in the Commonwealth.

The proposal would continue payments to local communities impacted by drilling currently funded under the Act 13 drilling impact fee, but said nothing about an funding for environmental restoration or programs.

Analysis: Where Is The Environmental Funding In Gov. Wolf’s Severance Tax Proposal?

Gov. Wolf this week proposed a new severance tax on natural gas production with no mention yet of funding for environmental restoration programs.

This is especially odd since Pennsylvania is facing significant environmental cleanup challenges including, but certainly not limited to: 220,000 acres of abandoned mine lands, with the federal Abandoned Mine Reclamation Fee ending in 2021 which funds the bulk of this work, and eliminating 10 pounds of nitrogen and 212 million pounds of sediment to meet our 2017 Chesapeake Bay cleanup milestones over the next 683 days.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Harrisburg Wednesday announced a proposed partial settlement with co-plaintiff Department of Environmental Protection and the City of Harrisburg and Capital Region Water to resolve alleged Clean Water Act violations involving sewer overflows and discharges of polluted stormwater to the Susquehanna River and Paxton Creek. The agreement will help protect people’s health, the two impacted waterways, and ultimately the Chesapeake Bay.

Keep PA Beautiful Recognizes Outstanding Volunteers For 2014

Each year, Keep PA Beautiful awards the President’s Award to a volunteer who has demonstrated a sustained commitment and exceptional contributions on behalf of Keep PA Beautiful to make our communities clean and beautiful. In 2014, Dale Frazier from Bucks County was recognized for the distinction.

Heritage Rail Trail In York County Is PA’s 2015 Trail Of The Year

Gov. Tom Wolf Wednesday announced the Heritage Rail Trail in his home county of York is the 2015 Trail of the Year in Pennsylvania.

“I’m excited that a trail in York County has received this special designation,” Gov. Tom Wolf said. “It highlights how trails provide our citizens with nearby opportunities for affordable outdoor exercise, and play an important role in the economic vitality of nearby communities attracting visitors who stay, eat and shop.”

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PA Capitol Digest provides daily news on Pennsylvania state government and politics from Crisci Associates, a Harrisburg-based government and public affairs firm whose clients include Fortune 500 companies and non-profit organizations. For more information, call 717-234-1716, send email to: info@CrisciAssociates.com or visit www.CrisciAssociates.com.